It’s election season again.

First up are school elections, which are scheduled on May 6.

In a mail-only election, Kalispell voters are deciding technology levies in both the elementary and high school districts, as well as electing trustees. Columbia Falls will vote on a general-fund levy request at polling places on Tuesday, and Marion School has both a tech levy and a general-fund levy on the ballot. Fair-Mont-Egan School, meanwhile, has a building-reserve levy up for a vote.

As usual, the Daily Inter Lake recommends that, unless you have a compelling reason otherwise, a vote to fund school budgets is a vote for the future.

Ballots also go in the mail Monday for the June 3 primary elections,  and we are glad that voters have the option to vote by mail, but from a practical point of view, what’s the hurry?

Voters will have the opportunity over the next few weeks to pick up all kinds of additional information about candidates, whether it be from media sources, advertisements, friends, or heck, maybe the candidates themselves.

We are fortunate to have a manageable population where a person can actually run into a candidate, possibly on your front doorstep.

Republican voters, in the Flathead Valley in particular, will be considering a busy ballot that will produce important outcomes from top-to-bottom.

There are contested Republican and Democratic primaries for the U.S. House and Senate seats. There are contested Republican primaries in Flathead County for a Public Service Commission seat, a state Senate seat, three state House seats, a Flathead County commissioner position, and the county Clerk and Recorder position. Democratic voters also have primary choices for county commissioner and in two legislative races.

Keep an eye on the Daily Inter Lake’s news and opinion pages for stories and election letters in coming days, and visit us online at www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_elections for comprehensive coverage.

Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Daily Inter Lake’s editorial board.